The Accusation Letter to Artaxerxes

Ezra 4:11-16

(This is the text of the letter they sent him.) "To Artach'shashta the king from his servants the people beyond the River:

"Let the king know that the Judeans who left you to come to us in Yerushalayim are building this rebellious and wicked city. They have finished the walls and are now digging the foundations.

So let the king know that if this city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, they will refuse to pay tribute, tax or toll; and this will reduce the royal revenue.

Now, because we eat the king's salt, and it is not right for us to see the king dishonored, we therefore are sending to inform the king,

so that a search can be made in the archives of your ancestors; in these archives you will find and ascertain that this city is indeed a rebellious city, the bane of kings and provinces, and that sedition has been fostered there since ancient times - which is why this city was destroyed.

We submit to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, you will soon lose possession of all territories beyond the River."

The Accusation Letter to Artaxerxes

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